Vehicle projection systems and method

ABSTRACT

A system for displaying visually sensible patterns onto a surface of a vehicle including a display control subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, and a display device, operative in response to an input from the display control subsystem, to display a visually sensible pattern onto the surface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from the exterior of the vehicle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle projection systems and methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following patent publications are believed to represent the currentstate of the art:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,791,785; and

U.S. Published Patent Application No.: 2003/0162312.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides systems and methodologies for displayingvisually sensible patterns on surfaces of vehicles.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a system for displaying visually sensible patternsonto a surface of a vehicle including a display control subsystemresponsive to an operational state of the vehicle, and a display device,operative in response to an input from the display control subsystem, todisplay a visually sensible pattern onto the surface. Preferably, thevisually sensible pattern is visible from the exterior of the vehicle.

Preferably, the display device is a projector is mounted inside thevehicle. Preferably, communication between the display control subsystemand the projector is at least one of wired and wireless communication.Preferably, the surface of a vehicle is one of an interior surface andan exterior surface of one of a rear windshield and a side window of thevehicle.

Preferably, the surface is coated with a semi-opaque rear projectionfilm. Alternatively, the surface is formed with a semi-opaque rearprojection material embedded therewithin. Alternatively, the surface isa frame housing an activatable rear projection film which is mounted inclose proximity to one of a rear windshield and a side window of thevehicle.

Alternatively, the surface is a deployable semi-opaque projection filmwhich is mounted in close proximity to one of a rear windshield and aside window of the vehicle. Preferably, the deployable semi-opaqueprojection film is one of a popup, movable and rollable semi-opaqueprojection film. Preferably, the display control subsystem is operative,responsive to said operational state of said vehicle, to deploy andretract the deployable semi-opaque projection film.

Alternatively, the surface is coated with an activatable rear projectionfilm. Alternatively, the surface is formed with an activatable rearprojection material embedded therewithin.

Alternatively, the display device is a deployable emissive display whichis mounted in close proximity to one of a rear windshield and a sidewindow of the vehicle. Preferably, the deployable emissive display isone of a popup, movable and rollable emissive display. Preferably, thedisplay control subsystem is operative, responsive to said operationalstate of said vehicle, to deploy and retract the deployable emissivedisplay.

Preferably, the visually sensible pattern includes at least one ofgraphic images, video images and text. Preferably, the operational stateof the vehicle corresponds to the operational state of a braking systemof the vehicle. Preferably, the operational state of the vehicle isascertained by utilizing location data of the vehicle. Preferably, thelocation data is received from a GPS location system of the vehicle.Alternatively, the location data is received from a GPS location systemembedded in a media player.

Preferably, the visually sensible pattern includes data pertaining to anoperational state of the vehicle obtained by the display controlsubsystem from the vehicle.

Preferably, the display device comprises internal viewer capabilitiesand the visually sensible pattern is stored and provided by one of a USBflash drive and a solid state memory device which communicates with thedisplay device. Additionally or alternatively, the visually sensiblepattern is stored and provided by a computer. Additionally oralternatively, the system also includes cellular telephone communicationfunctionality operative to wirelessly obtain the visually sensiblepattern via a cellular telephone network. Preferably, the display deviceis a projector phone having cellular telephone communicationfunctionality operative to wirelessly obtain the visually sensiblepattern via a cellular telephone network.

Additionally or alternatively, the system also includes wirelesstelevision reception functionality operative to wirelessly obtain thevisually sensible pattern via a wireless television broadcastingnetwork. Additionally or alternatively, the system also includesterrestrial television reception functionality operative to wirelesslyobtain the visually sensible pattern via a terrestrial televisionbroadcasting network. Additionally or alternatively, the system alsoincludes satellite television reception functionality operative towirelessly obtain the visually sensible pattern via a satellitetelevision broadcasting network. Additionally or alternatively, thesystem also includes cable television reception functionality operativeto wirelessly obtain the visually sensible pattern via a cabletelevision broadcasting network.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the display controlsubsystem and the display device includes wireless internetfunctionality operative to wirelessly obtain the visually sensiblepattern via a wireless internet network. Additionally or alternatively,the visually sensible pattern is stored and provided by a digital mediastreaming device. Additionally or alternatively, the system alsoincludes IP television reception functionality operative to wirelesslyobtain the visually sensible pattern via at least one of a wireless IPnetwork and a wired IP network.

Additionally or alternatively, the visually sensible pattern is storedand provided by a DVD player. Additionally or alternatively, thevisually sensible pattern is stored and provided by a Blu-ray player.Additionally or alternatively, the visually sensible pattern is storedand provided by a media player.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention a method for displaying visually sensiblepatterns onto a surface of a vehicle including displaying a visuallysensible pattern onto the surface responsively to an operational stateof the vehicle, the visually sensible pattern being visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferredembodiment of the present invention a system for synchronizing displayof visually sensible patterns onto surfaces of a plurality of vehiclesincluding a plurality of vehicle display control subsystems, each of thevehicle display control subsystems being associated with at least one ofthe plurality of vehicles, each of the vehicle display controlsubsystems being operative to collect data pertaining to an operationalstate of a corresponding one of the plurality of vehicles, a pluralityof display devices, each of the display devices being operative, inresponse to an input from a corresponding one of the display controlsubsystems, to display a visually sensible pattern onto at least one ofthe surfaces, and a display synchronizing subsystem operative inresponse to the data received from the plurality of vehicle displaycontrol subsystems to employ at least one of the plurality of vehicledisplay control subsystems to instruct at least one display deviceassociated therewith to display a visually sensible pattern onto atleast one of the surfaces. Preferably, the visually sensible patternsare visible from the exterior of at least some of the plurality ofvehicles.

Preferably, at least one of the plurality of display devices is aprojector mounted inside one of the plurality of vehicles. Preferably,communication between each of the display control subsystems and acorresponding one of the projectors is at least one of wired andwireless communication. Preferably, at least one of the surfaces is oneof an interior surface and an exterior surface of one of a rearwindshield and a side window of one of the plurality of vehicles.

Preferably, at least one of the surfaces is coated with a semi-opaquerear projection film. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of thesurfaces is formed with a semi-opaque rear projection material embeddedtherewithin.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the surfaces is adeployable semi-opaque projection film which is mounted in closeproximity to one of a rear windshield and a side window of acorresponding one of the vehicles. Preferably, the deployablesemi-opaque projection film is one of a popup, movable and rollablesemi-opaque projection film. Preferably, the display control subsystemsare operative to deploy and retract the deployable semi-opaqueprojection film of corresponding ones of the at least some of thevehicles, responsive to the operational state of the correspondingvehicle.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the surfaces is coatedwith an activatable rear projection film. Additionally or alternatively,at least one of the surfaces is formed with an activatable rearprojection material embedded therewithin. Additionally or alternatively,at least one of the surfaces is a frame housing an activatable rearprojection film which is mounted in close proximity to one of a rearwindshield and a side window of a corresponding one of the vehicles.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the plurality of displaydevices is a deployable emissive display which is mounted in closeproximity to one of a rear windshield and a side window of the vehicle.Preferably, the deployable emissive display is one of a popup, movableand rollable emissive display. Preferably, the display control subsystemis operative to deploy and retract the deployable emissive display.

Preferably, the visually sensible pattern includes at least one ofgraphic images, video images and text. Preferably, the visually sensiblepattern is stored on a digital storage device associated with thedisplay synchronizing subsystem. Additionally or alternatively, thevisually sensible pattern is stored on a digital storage deviceassociated with at least one of the vehicle display control subsystems.

Preferably, the operational state of a vehicle corresponds to theoperational state of a braking system of the vehicle. Preferably, theoperational state of a vehicle is ascertained by utilizing location dataof at least one of the plurality of vehicles. Preferably, the locationdata is received from a GPS location system of a corresponding one ofthe plurality of vehicles. Additionally or alternatively, the locationdata is received from a GPS location system embedded in a media playerhaving a multi-display synchronization mode located in a correspondingone of the plurality of vehicles.

Preferably, the visually sensible pattern includes data pertaining to anoperational state of at least one of the plurality of vehicles.

Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is stored and provided by oneof a USB flash drive and a solid state memory device located in one ofthe vehicles and is displayed by one of said display devices whichcomprises internal viewer capabilities which communicates with the oneof a USB flash drive and a solid state memory device. Additionally oralternatively, the visually sensible pattern is stored and provided by acomputer located in one of the vehicles. Additionally or alternatively,the system also includes cellular telephone communication functionalityoperative to wirelessly obtain the visually sensible pattern via acellular telephone network. Preferably, at least one of the displaydevices is a projector phone having cellular telephone communicationfunctionality operative to wirelessly obtain the visually sensiblepattern via a cellular telephone network.

Additionally or alternatively, the system also includes wirelesstelevision reception functionality operative to wirelessly obtain thevisually sensible pattern via a wireless television broadcastingnetwork. Additionally or alternatively, the system also includesterrestrial television reception functionality operative to wirelesslyobtain the visually sensible pattern via a terrestrial televisionbroadcasting network.

Additionally or alternatively, the system also includes satellitetelevision reception functionality operative to wirelessly obtain thevisually sensible pattern via a satellite television broadcastingnetwork. Additionally or alternatively, the system also includes cabletelevision reception functionality operative to wirelessly obtain saidvisually sensible pattern via a cable television broadcasting network.Additionally or alternatively, the system also includes wirelessinternet functionality operative to wirelessly obtain the visuallysensible pattern via a wireless internet network. Additionally oralternatively, the visually sensible pattern is stored and provided by adigital media streaming device located in one of the vehicles.Additionally or alternatively, the system also includes IP televisionreception functionality operative to wirelessly obtain the visuallysensible pattern via at least one of a wireless IP network and a wiredIP network.

Additionally or alternatively, the visually sensible pattern is storedand provided by a DVD player located in one of the vehicles.Additionally or alternatively, the visually sensible pattern is storedand provided by a Blu-ray player located in one of the vehicles.Additionally or alternatively, the visually sensible pattern is storedand provided by a media player located in one of the vehicles.

Preferably, the display synchronizing subsystem is also operative inresponse to the data received from the plurality of vehicle displaycontrol subsystems to employ at least some of the plurality of vehicledisplay control subsystems to instruct at least one display deviceassociated therewith to synchronizably display mutually differentsegments of a visually sensible pattern onto at least one of thesurfaces, whereby the mutually different segments together are thevisually sensible pattern.

There is yet further provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a method for synchronizing displayof visually sensible patterns onto surfaces of a plurality of vehiclesincluding collecting data pertaining to an operational state of theplurality of vehicles and in response to the data, instructing at leastone display device associated with one of the plurality of vehicles todisplay a visually sensible pattern onto at least one of the surfaces,the visually sensible pattern being visible from the exterior of atleast one of the one of the plurality of vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E are simplified pictorial illustrations ofexamples of the use of vehicle projection systems, each of which beingconstructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E are simplified block diagram illustrationsof the respective vehicle projection systems of FIGS. 1A-1E;

FIG. 3A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16 is a simplified pictorial illustration of one aspect of the useof the vehicle projection systems of FIGS. 14A-15B;

FIG. 17A is a simplified pictorial illustration of an example of the useof a vehicle projection system, constructed and operative in accordancewith still another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17B is a simplified block diagram illustration of the vehicleprojection system of FIG. 17A;

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D and 18E are simplified pictorial illustrationsof the use of a system for synchronizing projection of visually sensiblepatterns onto surfaces of a plurality of vehicles, constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18F is a simplified block diagram illustration of the system ofFIGS. 18A-18E; and

FIG. 18G is a simplified pictorial illustration of an alternativeembodiment of the system of FIGS. 18A-18F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E, which aresimplified pictorial illustrations of examples of the use of vehicleprojection systems, each of which being constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and toFIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E, which are simplified block diagramillustrations of the respective vehicle projection systems of FIGS.1A-1E. The systems of FIGS. 1A-2E preferably each include a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, a motor vehicle 100 is equipped with a mountedprojector 102 which is trained on a rear windshield 104 of vehicle 100.Alternatively, projector 102 may be trained on any other surface ofvehicle 100. Projector 102 may be any suitable multimedia projector withinternal viewer capabilities, such as an Epson Powerlite 1775WMultimedia Projector, commercially available from Seiko EpsonCorporation of Suwa, Nagano, Japan.

A media memory device 106 communicating with projector 102 is providedfor storing visually sensible patterns suitable for display by projector102. Device 106 may be, for example, a SanDisk® Ultra® Backup USB FlashDrive commercially available from SanDisk of Milpitas, Calif. Thevisually sensible patterns suitable for display on projector 102 andstored on memory device 106 may be, for example, any of text, graphicimages or video images such as advertisements, pictures, video clips ormovies.

The projection systems of FIGS. 1A-1E each preferably employ one of thefollowing projection configurations:

1. A fixed semi-opaque configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1A, whereinrear windshield 104 is preferably coated with a suitable rear projectionfilm 111 such as 3M™ Vikuiti™ Rear Projection Film, commerciallyavailable from 3M of St. Paul, Minn. It is appreciated that the coatingof rear windshield 104 with rear projection film is operative totransform windshield 104 into a semi-opaque projection screen forprojector 102, whereby visually sensible patterns projected by projector102 onto rear windshield 104 are visible from the exterior of windshield104. Alternatively, rear windshield 104 may be formed with a suitablerear projection material embedded therewithin, such as LC Smartglass™commercially available from SmartGlass International Ltd. of Dublin,Ireland, thereby transforming windshield 104 into a semi-opaqueprojection screen for projector 102, whereby visually sensible patternsprojected by projector 102 onto rear windshield 104 are visible from theexterior of windshield 104.

2. A deployable semi-opaque configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1B,wherein a deployable semi-opaque projection film 112 is preferablyrollably mounted in close proximity to windshield 104, wherebydeployment of deployable semi-opaque projection film 112 is achieved byunrolling thereof prior to projection. When unrolled, deployablesemi-opaque projection film 112 can have patterns projected thereupon,which patterns are visible from the exterior of windshield 104.

3. An activatable semi-opaque configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1C,wherein rear windshield 104 is preferably coated with a suitableactivatable rear projection film 113 such as DMD Magic SF, commerciallyavailable from DMDisplay of Seoul, Korea. It is appreciated that thecoating of rear windshield 104 with activatable rear projection film 113is operative to transform windshield 104 into a projection screen forprojector 102, whereby visually sensible patterns projected by projector102 onto rear windshield 104 are visible from the exterior of windshield104. Alternatively, rear windshield 104 may be formed with a suitableactivatable rear projection material embedded therewithin, such as DMDMagic Glass commercially available from DMDisplay of Seoul, Korea.

4. An activatable semi-opaque configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1D,wherein a rear projection screen 114 comprising a frame housing asuitable activatable rear projection film is mounted in close proximityto rear windshield 104. A suitable activatable rear projection film maybe, for example, DMD Magic SF, commercially available from DMDisplay ofSeoul, Korea. It is appreciated that visually sensible patternsprojected by projector 102 onto screen 114 are visible from the exteriorof windshield 104.

5. A deployable emissive configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1E,wherein a suitable rollable emissive display 115 is mounted in closeproximity to rear windshield 104 of vehicle 100. Emissive display 115may be, for example, a rollable OTFT-driven OLED display, commerciallyavailable from Sony Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan.

As shown in particular in the fixed semi-opaque configuration of FIG.1A, a display control subsystem 120 is preferably provided forcontrolling projector 102. Preferably, control subsystem 120 istriggered by at least one subsystem of the vehicle such as, for example,a braking subsystem 122 or a GPS location subsystem 124. Display controlsubsystem 120 may be any suitable control subsystem such as a Pixie™,commercially available from SP Controls, Inc. of South San Francisco,Calif. It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem ofthe vehicle, display control subsystem 120 is operative to instructprojector 102 to continuously display suitable visually sensiblepatterns retrieved from media memory device 106 onto rear projectionfilm 111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensiblepatterns onto rear projection film 111. It is appreciated that displaycontrol subsystem 120 may also be operative to retrieve, for example,data relating to the current position and speed of the vehicle and toinstruct projector 102 to display the data. This data may be retrieved,for example, from GPS location subsystem 124.

Alternatively, as shown in the deployable semi-opaque configuration ofFIG. 1B, a display control subsystem 130 is preferably provided forcontrolling projector 102 and the deployment and retraction ofdeployable semi-opaque projection film 112. Preferably, controlsubsystem 130 is triggered by at least one subsystem of the vehicle suchas, for example, a braking subsystem 132 or a GPS location subsystem134. Display control subsystem 130 may be any suitable control subsystemsuch as a Pixie™, commercially available from SP Controls, Inc. of SouthSan Francisco, Calif. It is appreciated that responsive to signals froma subsystem of the vehicle, display control subsystem 130 is operativeto deploy deployable semi-opaque projection film 112 and to instructprojector 102 to continuously display suitable visually sensiblepatterns retrieved from media memory device 106 onto deployablesemi-opaque projection film 112 or to cease displaying visually sensiblepatterns onto deployable semi-opaque projection film 112. It isappreciated that display control subsystem 130 may also be operative toretrieve, for example, data relating to the current position and speedof the vehicle and to instruct projector 102 to project the data. Thisdata may be retrieved, for example, from GPS location subsystem 134.

It is appreciated that deployment and retraction of deployablesemi-opaque projection film 112 by control subsystem 130 is achieved bycontrolling a display deploying mechanism 136 which is mounted in closeproximity to rear windshield 104 and which is operative to unroll and toroll deployable semi-opaque projection film 112.

Alternatively, as shown in the activatable semi-opaque configuration ofFIG. 1C, a display control subsystem 140 is preferably provided forcontrolling projector 102 and the activation and deactivation ofactivatable rear projection film 113. Preferably, control subsystem 140is triggered by at least one subsystem of the vehicle such as, forexample, a braking subsystem 142 or a GPS location subsystem 144.Display control subsystem 140 may be any suitable control subsystem suchas a Pixie™, commercially available from SP Controls, Inc. of South SanFrancisco, Calif. It is appreciated that responsive to signals from asubsystem of the vehicle, display control subsystem 140 is operative toactivate activatable rear projection film 113 and to instruct projector102 to continuously display suitable visually sensible patternsretrieved from media memory device 106 onto rear windshield 104 or tocease displaying visually sensible patterns onto activatable rearprojection film 113. It is appreciated that display control subsystem140 may also be operative to retrieve, for example, data relating to thecurrent position and speed of the vehicle and to instruct projector 102to display the data. This data may be retrieved, for example, from GPSlocation subsystem 144.

Alternatively, as shown in the activatable semi-opaque configuration ofFIG. 1D, a display control subsystem 150 is preferably provided forcontrolling projector 102 and the activation and deactivation ofactivatable rear projection screen 114. Preferably, control subsystem150 is triggered by at least one subsystem of the vehicle such as, forexample, a braking subsystem 152 or a GPS location subsystem 154.Display control subsystem 150 may be any suitable control subsystem suchas a Pixie™, commercially available from SP Controls, Inc. of South SanFrancisco, Calif. It is appreciated that responsive to signals from asubsystem of the vehicle, display control subsystem 150 is operative toactivate activatable rear projection screen 114 and to instructprojector 102 to continuously display suitable visually sensiblepatterns retrieved from media memory device 106 onto rear projectionscreen 114 or to cease displaying visually sensible patterns ontoactivatable rear projection screen 114. It is appreciated that displaycontrol subsystem 150 may also be operative to retrieve, for example,data relating to the current position and speed of the vehicle and toinstruct projector 102 to display the data. This data may be retrieved,for example, from GPS location subsystem 154.

Alternatively, as shown in the deployable emissive configuration FIG.1E, a display control subsystem 160 is preferably provided forcontrolling emissive display 115. Preferably, display control subsystem160 is triggered by at least one subsystem of the vehicle such as, forexample, a braking subsystem 162 or a GPS location subsystem 164.Display control subsystem 160 may be any suitable control subsystem suchas a Pixie™, commercially available from SP Controls, Inc. of South SanFrancisco, Calif. It is appreciated that responsive to signals from asubsystem of the vehicle, display control subsystem 160 is operative todeploy rollable emissive display 115 and to instruct emissive display115 to continuously display suitable visually sensible patternsretrieved from media memory device 106 via emissive display 115 or toretract rollable emissive display 115 and to cease displaying visuallysensible patterns via emissive display 115. It is appreciated thatdisplay control subsystem 160 may also be operative to retrieve, forexample, data relating to the current position and speed of the vehicleand to instruct emissive display 115 to display the data. This data maybe retrieved, for example, from GPS location subsystem 164.

It is appreciated that deployment and retraction of emissive display 115by display control subsystem 160 is achieved by controlling a displaydeploying mechanism 166 which is mounted in close proximity to rearwindshield 104 and which is operative to unroll and to roll emissivedisplay 115.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2A which is a simplified block diagramillustration of the vehicle projection system of FIG. 1A. As shown inFIG. 2A, the vehicle projection system 161 includes projector 102, mediamemory device 106 and display control subsystem 120. Display controlsubsystem 120 preferably communicates with vehicle braking subsystem 122and with vehicle GPS location subsystem 124. Responsive to triggeringsignals received from at least one of subsystems 122 and 124, displaycontrol subsystem 120 is operative to instruct projector 102 tocontinuously display suitable visually sensible patterns retrieved frommedia memory device 106 onto rear windshield 104 or to cease displayingvisually sensible patterns onto rear windshield 104. Triggering signalsfrom braking subsystem 122 may include, for example, an indication thatthe vehicle's brakes have been engaged or disengaged, or that the speedof the vehicle has exceeded above a predefined threshold or hasdecreased below a predefined threshold. Triggering signals from GPSlocation subsystem 124 may include, for example, the current location ofthe vehicle or the current distance of the vehicle from a predefinedlocation or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2B which is a simplified block diagramillustration of the vehicle projection system of FIG. 1B. As shown inFIG. 2B, the vehicle projection system 162 includes projector 102, mediamemory device 106 and display control subsystem 130. Display controlsubsystem 130 preferably communicates with vehicle braking subsystem 132and with vehicle GPS location subsystem 134. Responsive to triggeringsignals received from at least one of subsystems 132 and 134, displaycontrol subsystem 130 is operative to employ display deploying mechanism136 to deploy deployable semi-opaque projection film 112 and to instructprojector 102 to display suitable visually sensible patterns retrievedfrom media memory device 106 onto film 112, and to employ displaydeploying mechanism 136 to retract projection film 112 and to ceasedisplaying visually sensible patterns onto film 112. Triggering signalsfrom braking subsystem 132 may include, for example, an indication thatthe vehicle's brakes have been engaged or disengaged, or that the speedof the vehicle has exceeded above a predefined threshold or hasdecreased below a predefined threshold. Triggering signals from GPSlocation subsystem 134 may include, for example, the current location ofthe vehicle or the current distance of the vehicle from a predefinedlocation or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2C which is a simplified block diagramillustration of the vehicle projection system of FIG. 1C. As shown inFIG. 2C, the vehicle projection system 163 includes projector 102, mediamemory device 106 and display control subsystem 140. Display controlsubsystem 140 preferably communicates with vehicle braking subsystem 142and with vehicle GPS location subsystem 144. Responsive to triggeringsignals received from at least one of subsystems 142 and 144, displaycontrol subsystem 140 is operative to activate activatable rearprojection film 113, which coats rear windshield 104, and to instructprojector 102 to continuously display suitable visually sensiblepatterns retrieved from media memory device 106 onto rear windshield 104or to cease displaying visually sensible patterns onto rear windshield104. Triggering signals from braking subsystem 142 may include, forexample, an indication that the vehicle's brakes have been engaged ordisengaged, or that the speed of the vehicle has exceeded above apredefined threshold or has decreased below a predefined threshold.Triggering signals from GPS location subsystem 144 may include, forexample, the current location of the vehicle or the current distance ofthe vehicle from a predefined location or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2D which is a simplified block diagramillustration of the vehicle projection system of FIG. 1D. As shown inFIG. 2D, the vehicle projection system 164 includes projector 102, mediamemory device 106 and display control subsystem 150. Display controlsubsystem 150 preferably communicates with vehicle braking subsystem 152and with vehicle GPS location subsystem 154. Responsive to triggeringsignals received from at least one of subsystems 152 and 154, displaycontrol subsystem 150 is operative to activate activatable rearprojection screen 114 and to instruct projector 102 to continuouslydisplay suitable visually sensible patterns retrieved from media memorydevice 106 onto rear windshield 104 or to cease displaying visuallysensible patterns onto rear windshield 104. Triggering signals frombraking subsystem 152 may include, for example, an indication that thevehicle's brakes have been engaged or disengaged, or that the speed ofthe vehicle has exceeded above a predefined threshold or has decreasedbelow a predefined threshold. Triggering signals from GPS locationsubsystem 154 may include, for example, the current location of thevehicle or the current distance of the vehicle from a predefinedlocation or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2E which is a simplified block diagramillustration of the vehicle projection system of FIG. 1E. As shown inFIG. 2E, the vehicle projection system 165 includes rollable emissivedisplay 115, media memory device 106 and display control subsystem 160.Display control subsystem 160 preferably communicates with vehiclebraking subsystem 162 and with vehicle GPS location subsystem 164.Responsive to triggering signals received from at least one ofsubsystems 162 and 164, display control subsystem 160 is operative toemploy display deploying mechanism 166 to deploy rollable emissivedisplay 115 and to instruct emissive display 115 to continuously displaysuitable visually sensible patterns retrieved from media memory device106 via emissive display 115, and to employ display deploying mechanism166 to retract rollable emissive display 115 and to cease displayingvisually sensible patterns via emissive display 115. Triggering signalsfrom braking subsystem 162 may include, for example, an indication thatthe vehicle's brakes have been engaged or disengaged, or that the speedof the vehicle has exceeded above a predefined threshold or hasdecreased below a predefined threshold. Triggering signals from GPSlocation subsystem 164 may include, for example, the current location ofthe vehicle or the current distance of the vehicle from a predefinedlocation or starting-point.

It is appreciated that deployment and retraction of emissive display 115by display control subsystem 160 is achieved by controlling a displaydeploying mechanism 166 which is mounted in close proximity to rearwindshield 104 and which is operative to unroll and to roll emissivedisplay 115.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 3B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 3A. The system of FIGS. 3A & 3B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 3A & 3B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 300. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 3A & 3B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a computer 306 communicating with projector 102 isprovided for storing and\or generating visually sensible patternssuitable for display by projector 102. Computer 306 may be, for example,any suitable commercially available computer system. The visuallysensible patterns suitable for display on projector 102 and storedand\or generated by computer 306 may be, for example any of text,graphic images or video images such as advertisements, pictures, videoclips or movies. It is appreciated that the communication betweencomputer 306 and projector 102 may be either wired or wireless.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns retrieved from computer 306 onto rear projection film111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensiblepatterns onto rear projection film 111 of rear windshield 104.

Turning now to FIG. 3B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system325 includes projector 102, computer 306 and display control subsystem120. Display control subsystem 120 preferably communicates with vehiclebraking subsystem 122 and with vehicle GPS location subsystem 124.Responsive to triggering signals received from at least one ofsubsystems 122 and 124, display control subsystem 120 is operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns retrieved from computer 306 onto rear windshield 104or to cease displaying visually sensible patterns onto rear windshield104. Triggering signals from braking subsystem 122 may include, forexample, an indication that the vehicle's brakes have been engaged ordisengaged, or that the speed of the vehicle has exceeded above apredefined threshold or has decreased below a predefined threshold.Triggering signals from GPS location subsystem 124 may include, forexample, the current location of the vehicle or the current distance ofthe vehicle from a predefined location or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 4B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 4A. The system of FIGS. 4A & 4B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 4A & 4B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 400. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 4A & 4B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a cellular telephone 406 communicating withprojector 102 is provided for storing and\or downloading and\orstreaming visually sensible patterns suitable for display by projector102. Cellular telephone 406 may be, for example, any suitablecommercially available cell phone having video storage and\ordownloading and\or streaming capabilities and having video outputcapability such as, for example, a Nokia 6500 commercially availablefrom Nokia of Helsinki, Finland. The visually sensible patterns suitablefor display on projector 102 and stored and\or downloaded and\orstreamed by cellular telephone 406 may be, for example, any of text,graphic images and video images such as advertisements, pictures, videoclips or movies. It is appreciated that the communication betweencellular telephone 406 and projector 102 may be either wired orwireless.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns received by cellular telephone 406 onto rearprojection film 111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displayingvisually sensible patterns onto rear projection film 111 of rearwindshield 104.

Turning now to FIG. 4B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system425 includes projector 102, cellular telephone 406 and display controlsubsystem 120. Display control subsystem 120 preferably communicateswith vehicle braking subsystem 122 and with vehicle GPS locationsubsystem 124. Responsive to triggering signals received from at leastone of subsystems 122 and 124, display control subsystem 120 isoperative to instruct projector 102 to continuously display suitablevisually sensible patterns retrieved by cellular telephone 406 onto rearwindshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensible patterns ontorear windshield 104. Triggering signals from braking subsystem 122 mayinclude, for example, an indication that the vehicle's brakes have beenengaged or disengaged, or that the speed of the vehicle has exceededabove a predefined threshold or has decreased below a predefinedthreshold. Triggering signals from GPS location subsystem 124 mayinclude, for example, the current location of the vehicle or the currentdistance of the vehicle from a predefined location or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 5B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 5A. The system of FIGS. 5A & 5B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 5A & 5B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 500. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 5A & 5B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1D.

As shown in FIG. 5A, projector 102 is obviated and motor vehicle 100 isinstead equipped with a mounted projector phone 502 which is trained ona rear windshield 104 of vehicle 100. Alternatively, projector phone 502may be trained on any other surface of vehicle 100. Projector phone 502may be any suitable cellular telephone having an embedded projector,such as, for example, a Samsung Beam Projector Phone commerciallyavailable from Samsung of Seoul, South Korea. Alternatively, a standardcellular telephone integrated with a mobile projector may be employed,such as, for example, an LG eXpo telephone integrated with an LG MobileProjector, both commercially available from LG Electronics of Seoul,South Korea.

Projector phone 502 is also preferably operable for storing and\ordownloading and\or streaming visually sensible patterns suitable fordisplay on rear windshield 104. The visually sensible patterns suitablefor display on rear windshield 104 and stored and\or downloaded and\orstreamed by projector phone 502 may be, for example, any of text,graphic images or video images such as advertisements, pictures, videoclips or movies.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from the vehicle'ssubsystem, control subsystem 120 is preferably operative to instruct amotorized shutter 522 to continuously enable display by projector phone502 of suitable visually sensible patterns received by projector phone502 onto rear projection film 111 of rear windshield 104 or to disabledisplay by projector phone 102 onto rear projection film 111 of rearwindshield 104.

Turning now to FIG. 5B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system525 includes projector phone 502, and display control subsystem 120which preferably controls motorized shutter 522. Display controlsubsystem 120 preferably communicates with vehicle braking subsystem 122and with vehicle GPS location subsystem 124. Responsive to triggeringsignals received from at least one of subsystems 122 and 124, displaycontrol subsystem 120 is operative to instruct projector phone 502 tocontinuously display suitable visually sensible patterns receivedthereby onto rear windshield 104 or to cease displaying visuallysensible patterns onto rear windshield 104. Triggering signals frombraking subsystem 122 may include, for example, an indication that thevehicle's brakes have been engaged or disengaged, or that the speed ofthe vehicle has exceeded above a predefined threshold or has decreasedbelow a predefined threshold. Triggering signals from GPS locationsubsystem 124 may include, for example, the current location of thevehicle or the current distance of the vehicle from a predefinedlocation or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 6B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 6A. The system of FIGS. 6A & 6B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 6A & 6B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 600. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 6A & 6B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 6A, A wireless TV receiver 606 communicating withprojector 102 is provided for receiving visually sensible patternssuitable for display by projector 102. Wireless TV receiver 606 may be,for example, any suitable commercially available wireless TV receiverhaving television receiving capabilities and video output capabilitysuch as, for example, a Samsung DTB-H260F commercially available fromSamsung of Seoul, South Korea. The visually sensible patterns suitablefor display on projector 102 and received by wireless TV receiver 606may be, for example any of text, graphic images or video images such asadvertisements, pictures, video clips or movies. It is appreciated thatthe communication between wireless TV receiver 606 and projector 102 maybe either wired or wireless.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns received by wireless TV receiver 606 onto rearprojection film 111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displayingvisually sensible patterns onto rear projection film 111 of rearwindshield 104.

Turning now to FIG. 6B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system625 includes projector 102, wireless TV receiver 606 and display controlsubsystem 120. Display control subsystem 120 preferably communicateswith vehicle braking subsystem 122 and with vehicle GPS locationsubsystem 124. Responsive to triggering signals received from at leastone of subsystems 122 and 124, display control subsystem 120 isoperative to instruct projector 102 to continuously display suitablevisually sensible patterns retrieved by wireless TV receiver 606 ontorear windshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensible patternsonto rear windshield 104. Triggering signals from braking subsystem 122may include, for example, an indication that the vehicle's brakes havebeen engaged or disengaged, or that the speed of the vehicle hasexceeded above a predefined threshold or has decreased below apredefined threshold. Triggering signals from GPS location subsystem 124may include, for example, the current location of the vehicle or thecurrent distance of the vehicle from a predefined location orstarting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 7B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 7A. The system of FIGS. 7A & 7B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 7A & 7B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 700. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 7A & 7B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a mobile TV receiver 706 communicating withprojector 102 is provided for receiving visually sensible patternssuitable for display by projector 102. Mobile TV receiver 706 may be,for example, any suitable commercially available mobile TV receiverhaving television receiving capabilities and video output capabilitysuch as, for example, an MDVT 0701 TV receiver commercially availablefrom E-TEK Digital Cooperation Ltd. of Xiao Lan, China. The visuallysensible patterns suitable for display on projector 102 and received bymobile TV receiver 706 may be, for example any of text, graphic imagesor video images such as advertisements, pictures, video clips or movies.It is appreciated that the communication between mobile TV receiver 706and projector 102 may be either wired or wireless.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns received by mobile TV receiver 706 onto rearprojection film 111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displayingvisually sensible patterns onto rear projection film 111 of rearwindshield 104.

Turning now to FIG. 7B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system725 includes projector 102, mobile TV receiver 706 and display controlsubsystem 120. Display control subsystem 120 preferably communicateswith vehicle braking subsystem 122 and with vehicle GPS locationsubsystem 124. Responsive to triggering signals received from at leastone of subsystems 122 and 124, display control subsystem 120 isoperative to instruct projector 102 to continuously display suitablevisually sensible patterns retrieved by mobile TV receiver 706 onto rearwindshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensible patterns ontorear windshield 104. Triggering signals from braking subsystem 122 mayinclude, for example, an indication that the vehicle's brakes have beenengaged or disengaged, or that the speed of the vehicle has exceededabove a predefined threshold or has decreased below a predefinedthreshold. Triggering signals from GPS location subsystem 124 mayinclude, for example, the current location of the vehicle or the currentdistance of the vehicle from a predefined location or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 8B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 8A. The system of FIGS. 8A & 8B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 8A & 8B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 800. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 8A & 8B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 8A, a satellite TV receiver 806 communicating withprojector 102 is provided for receiving visually sensible patternssuitable for display by projector 102. Satellite TV receiver 106 may be,for example, any suitable commercially available mobile or stationarysatellite TV receiver having television receiving capabilities and videooutput capability such as, for example, an RayCast System commerciallyavailable from Raysat Inc. of Vienna, Va. The visually sensible patternssuitable for display on projector 102 and received by satellite TVreceiver 806 may be, for example, any of text, graphic images or videoimages such as advertisements, pictures, video clips or movies. It isappreciated that the communication between satellite TV receiver 806 andprojector 102 may be either wired or wireless.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns received by satellite TV receiver 806 onto rearprojection film 111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displayingvisually sensible patterns onto rear projection film 111 of rearwindshield 104.

Turning now to FIG. 8B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system825 includes projector 102, satellite TV receiver 806 and displaycontrol subsystem 120. Display control subsystem 120 preferablycommunicates with vehicle braking subsystem 122 and with vehicle GPSlocation subsystem 124. Responsive to triggering signals received fromat least one of subsystems 132 and 134, display control subsystem 120 isoperative to instruct projector 102 to continuously display suitablevisually sensible patterns retrieved by satellite TV receiver 806 ontorear windshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensible patternsonto rear windshield 104. Triggering signals from braking subsystem 122may include, for example, an indication that the vehicle's brakes havebeen engaged or disengaged, or that the speed of the vehicle hasexceeded above a predefined threshold or has decreased below apredefined threshold. Triggering signals from GPS location subsystem 124may include, for example, the current location of the vehicle or thecurrent distance of the vehicle from a predefined location orstarting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 9B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 9A. The system of FIGS. 9A & 9B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 9A & 9B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 900. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 9A & 9B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 9A, projector 102 is obviated and motor vehicle 100 isinstead equipped with a Wi-Fi enabled projector 902 which is trained ona rear windshield 104 of vehicle 100. Alternatively, projector 902 maybe trained on any other surface of vehicle 100. Projector 902 may be anysuitable multimedia projector having wireless internet capabilities,such as an Epson Powerlite 1775W Multimedia Projector, commerciallyavailable from Seiko Epson Corporation of Suwa, Nagano, Japan.Alternatively, projector 902 may be any suitable wireless communicationenabled projector.

Wi-Fi enabled projector 902 is also operable for storing and\ordownloading and\or streaming visually sensible patterns suitable fordisplay on rear windshield 104. The visually sensible patterns suitablefor display on rear windshield 104 and stored and\or downloaded and\orstreamed by Wi-Fi enabled projector 902 may be, for example any of text,graphic images or video images such as advertisements, pictures, videoclips or movies.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 902 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns received by Wi-Fi enabled projector 902 onto rearprojection film 111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displayingvisually sensible patterns onto rear projection film 111 of rearwindshield 104.

Turning now to FIG. 9B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system925 includes Wi-Fi enabled projector 902, and display control subsystem120. Display control subsystem 120 preferably communicates with vehiclebraking subsystem 122 and with vehicle GPS location subsystem 124.Responsive to triggering signals received from at least one ofsubsystems 122 and 124, display control subsystem 120 is operative toinstruct Wi-Fi enabled projector 902 to continuously display suitablevisually sensible patterns received thereby onto rear windshield 104 orto cease displaying visually sensible patterns onto rear windshield 104.Triggering signals from braking subsystem 122 may include, for example,an indication that the vehicle's brakes have been engaged or disengaged,or that the speed of the vehicle has exceeded above a predefinedthreshold or has decreased below a predefined threshold. Triggeringsignals from GPS location subsystem 124 may include, for example, thecurrent location of the vehicle or the current distance of the vehiclefrom a predefined location or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 10B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 10A. The system of FIGS. 10A & 10B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 10A & 10B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 1000. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 10A & 10B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 10A, a digital media streaming device 1006communicating with projector 102 is provided for streaming visuallysensible patterns suitable for display by projector 102. Digital mediastreaming device 1006 may be, for example, any suitable device havingdigital media streaming capabilities such as, for example, a TVIXM-6600A/N PLUS commercially available from DVICO Inc. of Seoul, SouthKorea. The visually sensible patterns suitable for display on projector102 and streamed by digital media streaming device 1006 may be, forexample, any type of text, graphic images or video images such asadvertisements, pictures, video clips or movies. It is appreciated thatthe communication between digital media streaming device 1006 andprojector 102 may be either wired or wireless.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns retrieved from digital media streaming device 1006onto rear projection film 111 of rear windshield 104 or to ceasedisplaying visually sensible patterns onto rear projection film 111 ofrear windshield 104.

Turning now to FIG. 10B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system1025 includes projector 102, digital media streaming device 1006 anddisplay control subsystem 120. Display control subsystem 120 preferablycommunicates with vehicle braking subsystem 122 and with vehicle GPSlocation subsystem 124. Responsive to triggering signals received fromat least one of subsystems 122 and 124, display control subsystem 120 isoperative to instruct projector 102 to continuously display suitablevisually sensible patterns retrieved from digital media streaming device1006 onto rear windshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensiblepatterns onto rear windshield 104. Triggering signals from brakingsubsystem 122 may include, for example, an indication that the vehicle'sbrakes have been engaged or disengaged, or that the speed of the vehiclehas exceeded above a predefined threshold or has decreased below apredefined threshold. Triggering signals from GPS location subsystem 124may include, for example, the current location of the vehicle or thecurrent distance of the vehicle from a predefined location orstarting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 11B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 11A. The system of FIGS. 11A & 11B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 11A & 11B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 1100. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 11A & 11B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 11A, an IP TV receiver 1106 communicating withprojector 102 is provided for receiving visually sensible patternssuitable for display by projector 102. IP TV receiver 1106 may be, forexample, any suitable commercially available IP TV receiver having IP TVreceiving capabilities and video output capability such as, for example,a Tornado M10 Digital Media Center commercially available from SysMasterCooperation of Walnut Creek, Calif. The visually sensible patternssuitable for display on projector 1002 and received by IP TV receiver1106 may be, for example, any of text, graphic images or video imagessuch as advertisements, pictures, video clips or movies. It isappreciated that IP TV receiver 1106 may have wired or wirelessreception capabilities. It is also appreciated that the communicationbetween IP TV receiver 1106 and projector 102 may be either wired orwireless.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns retrieved from IP TV receiver 1106 onto rearprojection film 111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displayingvisually sensible patterns onto rear projection film 111 of rearwindshield 104.

Turning now to FIG. 11B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system1125 includes projector 102, IP TV receiver 1106 and display controlsubsystem 120. Display control subsystem 120 preferably communicateswith vehicle braking subsystem 122 and with vehicle GPS locationsubsystem 124. Responsive to triggering signals received from at leastone of subsystems 122 and 124, display control subsystem 120 isoperative to instruct projector 102 to continuously display suitablevisually sensible patterns retrieved from IP TV receiver 1106 onto rearwindshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensible patterns ontorear windshield 104. Triggering signals from braking subsystem 122 mayinclude, for example, an indication that the vehicle's brakes have beenengaged or disengaged, or that the speed of the vehicle has exceededabove a predefined threshold or has decreased below a predefinedthreshold. Triggering signals from GPS location subsystem 124 mayinclude, for example, the current location of the vehicle or the currentdistance of the vehicle from a predefined location or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 12B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 12A. The system of FIGS. 12A & 12B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 12A & 12B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 1200. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 12A & 12B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 12A, a DVD player 1206 communicating with projector 102is provided for providing visually sensible patterns suitable fordisplay by projector 102. DVD player 1206 may be, for example, anysuitable commercially available DVD player having DVD media readingcapability and video output capability such as, for example, a Sony DVPDVD-S380 commercially available from Sony Cooperation of Tokyo, Japan.The visually sensible patterns suitable for display on projector 102 andprovided by DVD player 1206 may be, for example any of text, graphicimages or video images such as advertisements, pictures, video clips ormovies. It is appreciated that the communication between DVD player 1206and projector 102 may be either wired or wireless.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns retrieved from DVD player 1206 onto rear projectionfilm 111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensiblepatterns onto rear projection film 111 of rear windshield 104.

Turning now to FIG. 12B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system1225 includes projector 102, DVD player 1206 and display controlsubsystem 120. Display control subsystem 120 preferably communicateswith vehicle braking subsystem 122 and with vehicle GPS locationsubsystem 124. Responsive to triggering signals received from at leastone of subsystems 122 and 124, display control subsystem 120 isoperative to instruct projector 102 to continuously display suitablevisually sensible patterns retrieved from DVD player 1206 onto rearwindshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensible patterns ontorear windshield 104. Triggering signals from braking subsystem 122 mayinclude, for example, an indication that the vehicle's brakes have beenengaged or disengaged, or that the speed of the vehicle has exceededabove a predefined threshold or has decreased below a predefinedthreshold. Triggering signals from GPS location subsystem 124 mayinclude, for example, the current location of the vehicle or the currentdistance of the vehicle from a predefined location or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 13A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 13B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 13A. The system of FIGS. 13A & 13B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 13A & 13B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 1300. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 13A & 13B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 13A, a Blu-ray player 1306 communicating with projector102 is provided for providing visually sensible patterns suitable fordisplay by projector 102. Blu-ray player 1306 may be, for example, anysuitable commercially available Blu-ray player having Blu-ray mediareading capability and video output capability such as, for example, aSony BDP-S550 commercially available from Sony Cooperation of Tokyo,Japan. The visually sensible patterns suitable for display on projector102 and provided by Blu-ray player 1306 may be, for example, any oftext, graphic images or video images such as advertisements, pictures,video clips or movies. It is appreciated that the communication betweenBlu-ray player 1306 and projector 102 may be either wired or wireless.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns retrieved from Blu-ray player 1306 onto rearprojection film 111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displayingvisually sensible patterns onto rear projection film 111 of rearwindshield 104.

Turning now to FIG. 13B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system1325 includes projector 102, Blu-ray player 1306 and display controlsubsystem 120. Display control subsystem 120 preferably communicateswith vehicle braking subsystem 122 and with vehicle GPS locationsubsystem 124. Responsive to triggering signals received from at leastone of subsystems 122 and 124, display control subsystem 120 isoperative to instruct projector 102 to continuously display suitablevisually sensible patterns retrieved from Blu-ray player 1306 onto rearwindshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensible patterns ontorear windshield 104. Triggering signals from braking subsystem 122 mayinclude, for example, an indication that the vehicle's brakes have beenengaged or disengaged, or that the speed of the vehicle has exceededabove a predefined threshold or has decreased below a predefinedthreshold. Triggering signals from GPS location subsystem 124 mayinclude, for example, the current location of the vehicle or the currentdistance of the vehicle from a predefined location or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 14A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 14B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 14A. The system of FIGS. 14A & 14B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 14A & 14B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 1400. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 14A & 14B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 14A, a media player 1406 having a multi-displaysynchronization mode and communicating with projector 102 is providedfor providing visually sensible patterns suitable for display byprojector 102. Media player 1406 may be, for example, any suitablecommercially available video and media player preferably having amulti-display synchronization mode and video output capability such as,for example, a Medialon MIP HD Media Player commercially available fromMedialon of Chatillon Cedex, France. The visually sensible patternssuitable for display on projector 102 and provided by media player 1406may be, for example, any of text, graphic images or video images such asadvertisements, pictures, video clips or movies. It is appreciated thatthe communication between media player 1406 and projector 102 may beeither wired or wireless.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns retrieved from media player 1406 onto rear projectionfilm 111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensiblepatterns onto rear projection film 111 of rear windshield 104. It isalso appreciated that display control subsystem 120 is also preferablyoperative to instruct media player 1406 to play a particular track whichcorresponds to the current position of the vehicle as provided by GPSlocation subsystem 124. For example, display control subsystem 120 mayinstruct media player 1406 to play a particular advertisement whichcorresponds to an establishment in proximity to the current location ofthe vehicle and\or to continuously play alternative tracks whichcorrespond to the changing position of the vehicle as the vehicle is inmotion.

Turning now to FIG. 14B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system1425 includes projector 102, media player 1406 and display controlsubsystem 120. Display control subsystem 120 preferably communicateswith vehicle braking subsystem 122 and with vehicle GPS locationsubsystem 124. Responsive to triggering signals received from at leastone of subsystems 122 and 124, display control subsystem 120 isoperative to instruct projector 102 to continuously display suitablevisually sensible patterns retrieved from media player 1406 onto rearwindshield 104 or to cease displaying visually sensible patterns ontorear windshield 104. Triggering signals from braking subsystem 122 mayinclude, for example, an indication that the vehicle's brakes have beenengaged or disengaged, or that the speed of the vehicle has exceededabove a predefined threshold or has decreased below a predefinedthreshold. Triggering signals from GPS location subsystem 124 mayinclude, for example, the current location of the vehicle or the currentdistance of the vehicle from a predefined location or starting-point.

Reference is now made to FIG. 15A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 15B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 15A. The system of FIGS. 15A & 15B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 15A & 15B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 1500. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 15A & 15B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 15A, a GPS enabled media player 1506 communicating withprojector 102 is provided for providing visually sensible patternssuitable for display by projector 102. GPS enabled media player 1506 ispreferably equipped with an integral GPS locator element. A suitable GPSenabled media player may be, for example, a Digital Video Machinecommercially available from Alcorn McBride Inc. of Orlando, Fla. Thevisually sensible patterns suitable for display on projector 102 andprovided by GPS media player 1506 may be, for example, any of text,graphic images or video images such as advertisements, pictures, videoclips or movies. It is appreciated that the communication between GPSmedia player 1506 and projector 102 may be either wired or wireless.

It is appreciated that responsive to signals from a subsystem of thevehicle, display control subsystem 120 is preferably operative toinstruct projector 102 to continuously display suitable visuallysensible patterns retrieved from GPS media player 1506 onto rearprojection film 111 of rear windshield 104 or to cease displayingvisually sensible patterns onto rear projection film 111 of rearwindshield 104. It is also appreciated that display control subsystem120 is also preferably operative to instruct GPS media player 1506 toplay a particular track which corresponds to the current position of thevehicle as provided by GPS enabled media player 1506. For example,display control subsystem 120 may instruct GPS enabled media player 1506to play a particular advertisement which corresponds to an establishmentin proximity to the current location of the vehicle and\or tocontinuously play alternative tracks which correspond to the changingposition of the vehicle as the vehicle is in motion.

Alternatively, it is appreciated that a suitable GPS media player 1506,having suitable location based display selection software embeddedtherewithin, may be operative to play a particular track whichcorresponds to the current position of the vehicle as provided by anintegral GPS locator element of GPS enabled media player 1506. Forexample, GPS enabled media player 1506 may play a particularadvertisement which corresponds to an establishment in proximity to thecurrent location of the vehicle and\or to continuously play alternativetracks which correspond to the changing position of the vehicle as thevehicle is in motion. Such a suitable GPS media player may be, forexample, an iPhone® cellular telephone equipped with an integral GPSlocator element, commercially available from Apple® Inc. of Cupertino,Calif., and loaded with suitable location based display selectionsoftware such as GoExplore™ Smartphone App commercially available fromBarZ Adventures Inc. of Austin, Tex.

Turning now to FIG. 15B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system1525 includes projector 102, GPS enabled media player 1506 and displaycontrol subsystem 120. Responsive to information received from at leastone of GPS enabled media player 1506 and vehicle braking subsystem 122,display control subsystem 120 is operative to instruct projector 102 tocontinuously display suitable visually sensible patterns received frommedia player 1506 onto rear windshield 104 or to cease displayingvisually sensible patterns onto rear windshield 104. Information frombraking subsystem 122 may include, for example, an indication that thevehicle's brakes have been engaged or disengaged, or that the speed ofthe vehicle has exceeded above a predefined threshold or has decreasedbelow a predefined threshold. GPS location information may include, forexample, the current location of the vehicle or the current distance ofthe vehicle from a predefined location or starting-point. It isappreciated that the visually sensible patterns may include, forexample, an advertisement corresponding to an establishment in proximityto the current location of the vehicle.

Reference is now made to FIG. 16, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of one aspect of the use of the vehicle projection systemsof FIGS. 14A-15B. As shown in FIG. 16, display control subsystem 120 mayinstruct projector 102 to continuously display alternative patternswhich correspond to the changing position of vehicle 100 as vehicle 100is in motion.

Reference is now made to FIG. 17A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of an example of the use of a vehicle projection system,constructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 17B, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the vehicle projection systemof FIG. 17A. The system of FIGS. 17A & 17B preferably includes a displaycontrol subsystem responsive to an operational state of the vehicle, anda display device, in response to an input from the display controlsubsystem, operative to display a visually sensible pattern onto thesurface. Preferably, the visually sensible pattern is visible from theexterior of the vehicle.

The system of FIGS. 17A & 17B preferably employs the fixed semi-opaqueconfiguration of FIG. 1A mounted in vehicle 1700. Alternatively, thesystem of FIGS. 17A & 17B may employ any of the alternate projectionconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 17A, A car DVD player 1706 communicating with projector102 is provided for providing visually sensible patterns suitable fordisplay by projector 102. Car DVD player 1706 may be, for example, aClarion MAX676VD multimedia station commercially available from Clarion®of Cleveland, Ohio. The visually sensible patterns suitable for displayon projector 102 and provided by car DVD player 1706 may be, forexample, any of text, graphic images or video images such asadvertisements, pictures, video clips or movies. It is appreciated thatthe communication between car DVD player 1706 and projector 102 may beeither wired or wireless.

Additionally, a sound transducer 1720 mounted on window 104 may beprovided for transducing sound corresponding to the visually sensiblepatterns projected by projector 102 onto side window 104, therebyproviding the corresponding sound to viewers located external to vehicle100.

Turning now to FIG. 17B, it is shown that the vehicle projection system1725 includes projector 102 and car DVD player 1706 connected thereto.Vehicle projection system 1725 may also include a sound transducer 1720which receives audio input from car DVD player 1706.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D and 18E, which aresimplified pictorial illustrations of the use of a system forsynchronizing projection of visually sensible patterns onto surfaces ofa plurality of vehicles, constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention, to FIG. 18F, which is asimplified block diagram illustration of the system of FIGS. 18A-18E,and to FIG. 18G, which is a simplified pictorial illustration of analternative embodiment of the system of FIGS. 18A-18F.

The system of FIGS. 18A-18G preferably includes a plurality of vehicledisplay control subsystems, each of the vehicle display controlsubsystems being associated with at least one of the plurality ofvehicles, each of the vehicle display control subsystems being operativeto collect data pertaining to an operational state of a correspondingone of the plurality of vehicles, a plurality of display devices, eachof the display devices being operative, in response to an input from acorresponding one of the display control subsystems, to display avisually sensible pattern onto at least one of the surfaces, and adisplay synchronizing subsystem operative in response to the datareceived from the plurality of vehicle display control subsystems toemploy at least one of the plurality of vehicle display controlsubsystems to instruct at least one display device associated therewithto display a visually sensible pattern onto at least one of thesurfaces.

The plurality of motor vehicles 1800 illustrated in each of FIGS.18A-18G each employ the fixed semi-opaque configuration of FIG. 1A.Alternatively, any of the plurality of motor vehicles 1800 may employany of the alternate projection configurations illustrated in FIGS.1B-1E.

As shown in FIG. 18A, a vehicle media memory player 1806 is preferablyprovided in each of vehicles 1800 for storing visually sensible patternssuitable for display by projector 102 mounted therewithin and forcommunicating therewith. Vehicle media memory player 1806 may be, forexample, any of the media memory or media player devices describedhereinabove with regard to the examples of FIGS. 1A-17B. The visuallysensible patterns suitable for display on projectors 102 and stored onvehicle media memory players 1806 may be, for example, any of text,graphic images or video images such as advertisements, pictures, videoclips or movies.

A vehicle data retrieval subsystem 1822 is preferably provided in eachof vehicles 1800 for retrieving data from at least one subsystem ofvehicle 1800 associated therewith, such as, for example, a brakingsubsystem or a GPS location subsystem, and to transmit the data to aprojection synchronizing subsystem 1824.

Projection synchronizing subsystem 1824, which preferably resides on acomputer server 1826, is operative to employ the data received fromvehicle data retrieval subsystems 1822 to synchronizely employ each ofvehicle display control subsystems 120 to employ at least some ofcorresponding projectors 102 associated therewith to project visuallysensible patterns stored on a media memory players 1806 associatedtherewith onto at least one surface of a vehicle. Alternatively, thevisually sensible patterns may be stored in a repository 1828 connectedto computer server 1826 and transmitted to projectors 102. Repository1828 may be any suitable digital storage device, such as a magnetic oroptical storage media.

In the example of FIG. 18A, vehicles 1800 are idle and are parked in alot of vehicles for sale. Projection synchronizing subsystem 1824utilizes data received from vehicle data retrieval subsystems 1822 ofvehicles 1800, such as vehicle velocity data and GPS location data, toascertain that all of vehicles 1800 are idle and are parked in closemutual proximity in a lot of vehicles for sale. Projection synchronizingsubsystem 1824 therefore instructs each of vehicle display controlsubsystems 120 to employ at least some of corresponding projectors 102associated therewith to continuously project an advertisement relatingto the purchase of the vehicles. As mentioned hereinabove, theadvertisement may be stored on media memory devices 1806, oralternatively, the advertisement may be stored in repository 1828connected to computer server 1826 and transmitted to projectors 102. Itis appreciated that each of projectors 102 may be instructed to projecta unique advertisement corresponding to the specific vehicle associatedtherewith.

As further shown in FIG. 18A, communication between projectionsynchronizing subsystem 1824 and each of vehicle display controlsubsystems 120 is wireless. Alternatively, for example, in a case whereall of vehicles 1800 are stationary for generally long periods of time,communication between projection synchronizing subsystem 1822 and eachof vehicle display control subsystems 120 may be wired.

Turning now to FIG. 18B, it is shown that a group of vehicles 1800wirelessly communicating with a projection synchronizing subsystem 1824are in motion along a motorway in close mutual proximity. Projectionsynchronizing subsystem 1824, which preferably resides on a computerserver 1826, utilizes data received from vehicle data retrievalsubsystems 1822 of vehicles 1800, such as vehicle velocity data and GPSlocation data, to ascertain that vehicles 1800 are in close proximity toan establishment to be advertised. Projection synchronizing subsystem1824 therefore instructs each of vehicle display control subsystems 120to employ at least some of corresponding projectors 102 associatedtherewith to simultaneously project an identical advertisement relatedto establishment onto rear windshields 104 of corresponding vehicles1800. It is appreciated that the simultaneous projection of an identicaladvertisement onto an externally visible surface of multiple vehicleswhich are close mutual proximity is operative to significantly amplifythe impact of the advertisement on passer-bys.

As mentioned hereinabove, the advertisement may be stored on mediamemory devices 1806, or alternatively, the advertisement may be storedin repository 1828 connected to computer server 1826 and transmitted toprojectors 102. It is appreciated that each of projectors 102 may beinstructed to project a unique advertisement corresponding to thespecific vehicle associated therewith.

Alternatively, projection synchronizing subsystem 1824 may instruct anyof vehicle display control subsystems 120 associated with correspondingvehicles 1800 to employ at least some of corresponding projectors 102associated therewith to project an advertisement onto rear windshields104 of corresponding vehicles 1800, regardless of their location andmutual proximity. Alternatively, projection synchronizing subsystem 1824may utilize data received from vehicle data retrieval subsystems 1822 ofvehicles 1800, such as GPS location data, to instruct vehicle displaycontrol subsystems 120 associated with corresponding vehicles 1800 toproject traffic information related to the location of correspondingvehicles 1800 onto rear windshields 104 of corresponding vehicles 1800.

Turning now to FIG. 18C, it is shown that a group of vehicles 1800wirelessly communicating with a projection synchronizing subsystem 1824are in motion along a motorway in close mutual proximity. Projectionsynchronizing subsystem 1824, which preferably resides on a computerserver 1826, utilizes data received from vehicle data retrievalsubsystems 1822 of vehicles 1800, such as vehicle velocity data and GPSlocation data, to ascertain that vehicles 1800 are in motion in closemutual proximity. Projection synchronizing subsystem 1824 thereforeinstructs each of vehicle display control subsystems 120 to employ atleast some of corresponding projectors 102 associated therewith to eachsimultaneously project a different segment of a visually sensiblepattern onto rear windshields 104 of corresponding vehicles 1800. Thevisually sensible pattern suitable may be, for example, any of text, agraphic image or a video image such as an advertisement, a picture, avideo clip or a movie. It is appreciated that the simultaneousprojection of a plurality of segments of a visually sensible patternonto externally visible surfaces of multiple vehicles which are closemutual proximity is operative to significantly enlarge the area on whichthe complete visually sensible pattern is viewed by passer-bys.

As mentioned hereinabove, the advertisement may be stored on mediamemory devices 1806, or alternatively, the advertisement may be storedin repository 1828 connected to computer server 1826 and transmitted toprojectors 102.

Turning now to FIG. 18D, it is shown that a vehicle media memory player1806 is preferably provided in each of vehicles 1800 for storingvisually sensible patterns suitable for display by projector 102 mountedtherewithin and for communicating therewith. Vehicle media memory player1806 may be, for example, any of the media memory or media playerdevices described hereinabove with regard to the examples of FIGS.1A-17B. The visually sensible patterns suitable for display onprojectors 102 and stored on vehicle media memory players 1806 may be,for example, any of text, graphic images or video images such asadvertisements, pictures, video clips or movies.

A vehicle data retrieval subsystem 1822 is preferably provided in eachof vehicles 1800 for retrieving data from at least one subsystem ofvehicle 1800 associated therewith, such as, for example, a brakingsubsystem or a GPS location subsystem, and to transmit the data to aprojection synchronizing subsystem 1824.

Projection synchronizing subsystem 1824, which preferably resides on acomputer server 1826, is operative to employ the data received fromvehicle data retrieval subsystems 1822 to synchronizely employ each ofvehicle display control subsystems 120 to employ at least some ofcorresponding projectors 102 associated therewith to project visuallysensible patterns stored on a media memory players 1806 associatedtherewith onto at least one surface of a vehicle. Alternatively, thevisually sensible patterns may be stored in a repository 1828 connectedto computer server 1826 and transmitted to projectors 102. Repository1828 may be any suitable digital storage device, such as a magnetic oroptical storage media.

In the example of FIG. 18D, vehicles 1800 are idle and are parked in aparking lot. Projection synchronizing subsystem 1824 utilizes datareceived from vehicle data retrieval subsystems 1822 of vehicles 1800,such as vehicle velocity data and GPS location data, to ascertain thatall of vehicles 1800 are idle and are parked in close mutual proximity.Projection synchronizing subsystem 1824 therefore instructs each ofvehicle display control subsystems 120 to employ at least some ofcorresponding projectors 102 associated therewith to each simultaneouslyproject a different segment of a visually sensible pattern onto rearwindshields 104 of corresponding vehicles 1800. The visually sensiblepattern suitable may be, for example, any of text, a graphic image or avideo image such as an advertisement, a picture, a video clip or amovie. It is appreciated that the simultaneous projection of a pluralityof segments of a visually sensible pattern onto externally visiblesurfaces of multiple vehicles which are close mutual proximity isoperative to significantly enlarge the area on which the completevisually sensible pattern is viewed by passer-bys.

As mentioned hereinabove, the advertisement may be stored on mediamemory devices 1806, or alternatively, the advertisement may be storedin repository 1828 connected to computer server 1826 and transmitted toprojectors 102.

As further shown in FIG. 18D, communication between projectionsynchronizing subsystem 1824 and each of vehicle display controlsubsystems 120 is wireless. Alternatively, for example, in a case whereall of vehicles 1800 are stationary for generally long periods of time,communication between projection synchronizing subsystem 1822 and eachof vehicle display control subsystems 120 may be wired.

Turning now to FIG. 18E, it is shown that a group of vehicles 1800wirelessly communicating with a projection synchronizing subsystem 1824are in motion in a stadium. Projection synchronizing subsystem 1824,which preferably resides on a computer server 1826, utilizes datareceived from vehicle data retrieval subsystems 1822 of vehicles 1800,such as vehicle velocity data and GPS location data, to ascertain thatvehicles 1800 are in motion in the stadium. Projection synchronizingsubsystem 1824 therefore initially instructs each of vehicle displaycontrol subsystems 120 to employ at least some of correspondingprojectors 102 associated therewith to each simultaneously projectdifferent visually sensible patterns onto rear windshields 104 ofcorresponding vehicles 1800. The visually sensible patterns may be, forexample, any of text, a graphic image or a video image such as anadvertisement, a picture, a video clip or a movie.

Thereafter, the group of vehicles 1800 arrive generally simultaneouslyto a predefined location within the stadium. Projection synchronizingsubsystem 1824 utilizes data received from vehicle data retrievalsubsystems 1822 of vehicles 1800, such as vehicle velocity data and GPSlocation data, to ascertain that vehicles 1800 are in close mutualproximity and then preferably instructs each of vehicle display controlsubsystems 120 to employ at least some of corresponding projectors 102associated therewith to each simultaneously project a different segmentof a visually sensible pattern onto rear windshields 104 ofcorresponding vehicles 1800 where they are preferably visible to a crowdof spectators. The visually sensible pattern may be, for example, any oftext, a graphic image or a video image such as an advertisement, apicture, a video clip or a movie. As described hereinabove, the visuallysensible pattern may be stored on media memory device 1806 which may be,for example, any of the media memory or media player devices describedhereinabove with regard to the examples of FIGS. 1A-17B. It isappreciated that the simultaneous projection of a plurality of segmentsof a visually sensible pattern onto externally visible surfaces ofmultiple vehicles which are close mutual proximity is operative tosignificantly enlarge the area on which the complete visually sensiblepattern is viewed by spectators at the stadium.

As mentioned hereinabove, the advertisement may be stored on mediamemory devices 1806, or alternatively, the advertisement may be storedin repository 1828 connected to computer server 1826 and transmitted toprojectors 102.

Turning now to FIG. 18F, it is shown that a synchronized multi-vehicleprojection system 1830 includes a plurality of vehicle projectionsystems 1832, each of vehicle projection systems 1832 being associatedwith a vehicle. Each of vehicle projection systems 1832 preferablyincludes a projector 102, a media memory device 1806, a display controlsubsystem 120 and a vehicle data retrieval subsystem 1822. Synchronizedmulti-vehicle projection system 1830 also preferably includes aprojection synchronizing subsystem 1824.

It is appreciated that media memory device 1806 may be, for example, anyof the media memory or media player devices described hereinabove withregard to the examples of FIGS. 1A-17B.

Vehicle data retrieval subsystem 1822 preferably communicates with avehicle braking subsystem 1840 and with a vehicle GPS location subsystem1842 and to communicate the data to projection synchronizing subsystem1824. Data from braking subsystem 1840 may include, for example, anindication that the vehicle's brakes have been engaged or disengaged, orthat the speed of the vehicle has exceeded above a predefined thresholdor has decreased below a predefined threshold. Data from GPS locationsubsystem 1842 may include, for example, the current location of thevehicle or the current distance of the vehicle from a predefinedlocation or starting-point.

Projection synchronizing subsystem 1824 is preferably operative toemploy data received from vehicle data retrieval subsystems 1822 tosynchronizely employ each of vehicle display control subsystems 120 toemploy at least some of corresponding projectors 102 associatedtherewith to project visually sensible patterns onto at least onesurface of a vehicle. The visually sensible patterns projected by eachof projectors 102 may be retrieved from media memory device 1806associated therewith, or from repository 1828. As described hereinabove,repository 1828 may be any suitable digital storage device, such as amagnetic or optical storage media.

Turning now to FIG. 18G, it is shown that a group of vehicles 1800wirelessly communicating with a projection synchronizing subsystem 1824located within one of vehicles 1800 are in motion along a motorway inclose mutual proximity. Projection synchronizing subsystem 1824, whichpreferably resides on a computer server 1826, utilizes data receivedfrom vehicle data retrieval subsystems 1822 of vehicles 1800, such asvehicle velocity data and GPS location data, to ascertain that vehicles1800 are in motion in close mutual proximity. Projection synchronizingsubsystem 1824 therefore instructs each of vehicle display controlsubsystems 120 to employ at least some of corresponding projectors 102associated therewith to each simultaneously project a different segmentof a visually sensible pattern onto rear windshields 104 ofcorresponding vehicles 1800. The visually sensible pattern may be, forexample, any of text, a graphic image or a video image such as anadvertisement, a picture, a video clip or a movie. It is appreciatedthat the simultaneous projection of a plurality of segments of avisually sensible pattern onto externally visible surfaces of multiplevehicles which are close mutual proximity is operative to significantlyenlarge the area on which the complete visually sensible pattern isviewed by passer-bys.

As mentioned hereinabove, the advertisement may be stored on mediamemory devices 1806, or alternatively, the advertisement may be storedin repository 1828 connected to computer server 1826 and transmitted toprojectors 102. It is appreciated that each of projectors 102 may beinstructed to project a unique advertisement corresponding to thespecific vehicle associated therewith.

It is also appreciated that projection synchronizing subsystem 1824 mayalso be employed by an group of vehicles 1800 organized to arrivegenerally simultaneously to a predefined location and to synchronizelydisplay segments of a predetermined visually sensible pattern as part ofa scheduled event or display. Projection synchronizing subsystem 1824utilizes data received from vehicle data retrieval subsystems 1822 ofvehicles 1800, such as vehicle velocity data and GPS location data, toascertain that vehicles 1800 are in close mutual proximity and thenpreferably instructs each of vehicle display control subsystems 120 toemploy at least some of corresponding projectors 102 associatedtherewith to each simultaneously project a different segment of avisually sensible pattern onto rear windshields 104 of correspondingvehicles 1800 where they are preferably visible to a crowd ofspectators. The visually sensible pattern may be, for example, any oftext, a graphic image or a video image such as an advertisement, apicture, a video clip or a movie. As described hereinabove, the visuallysensible pattern may be stored on media memory device 1806 which may be,for example, any of the media memory or media player devices describedhereinabove with regard to the examples of FIGS. 1A-17B.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present inventionincludes both combinations and subcombinations of the various featuresdescribed hereinabove as well as modifications thereof which would occurto persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description andwhich are not in the prior art.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for synchronizing display ofvisually sensible patterns onto at least one surface of each of aplurality of vehicles, the system comprising: a plurality of vehicledisplay control subsystems, each of said vehicle display controlsubsystems being associated with at least one of said plurality ofvehicles, each of said vehicle display control subsystems beingoperative to collect data pertaining to an operational state of said atleast one of said plurality of vehicles; a plurality of display devices,each of said display devices being operative, in response to an inputfrom a corresponding one of said display control subsystems, to displaya visually sensible pattern onto at least one surface of said at leastone of said plurality of vehicles; and a display synchronizing subsystemoperative in response to said data received from said plurality ofvehicle display control subsystems to employ said plurality of vehicledisplay control subsystems to instruct said plurality of display devicesto display at least one visually sensible pattern onto at least onesurface of each of said plurality of vehicles, each of said at least onesurface of each of said plurality of vehicles comprising at least oneactivatable rear projection surface, said plurality of vehicle displaycontrol subsystems controlling activation and deactivation of said atleast one activatable rear projection surface of a corresponding one ofsaid plurality of vehicles responsive to said operational state of saidcorresponding one of said plurality of vehicles.
 2. A system accordingto claim 1 and wherein said at least one visually sensible pattern isvisible from the exterior of said plurality of vehicles.
 3. A systemaccording to claim 1 and wherein at least one of said plurality ofdisplay devices is a projector mounted inside one of said plurality ofvehicles.
 4. A system according to claim 3 and wherein communicationbetween each of said display control subsystems and a corresponding oneof said projectors is at least one of wired and wireless communication.5. A system according to claim 1 and wherein said at least one surfaceof each of said plurality of vehicles is at least one of an interiorsurface and an exterior surface of at least one of a rear windshield anda side window of each of said plurality of vehicles.
 6. A systemaccording to claim 1 and wherein said at least one activatable rearprojection surface comprises a surface coated with an activatable rearprojection film.
 7. A system according to claim 1 and wherein said atleast one activatable rear projection surface comprises a surface formedwith an activatable rear projection material embedded therewithin.
 8. Asystem according to claim 1 and wherein said at least one activatablerear projection surface comprises a frame housing an activatable rearprojection film which is mounted in close proximity to one of a rearwindshield and a side window of a corresponding one of said vehicles. 9.A system according to claim 1 and wherein said at least one visuallysensible pattern comprises at least one of graphic images, video imagesand text.
 10. A system according to claim 1 and wherein said at leastone visually sensible pattern is stored on a digital storage deviceassociated with said display synchronizing subsystem.
 11. A systemaccording to claim 1 and wherein said at least one visually sensiblepattern is stored on a digital storage device associated with at leastone of said vehicle display control subsystems.
 12. A system accordingto claim 1 and said wherein said operational state of said at least oneof said plurality of vehicles corresponds to the operational state of abraking system of said at least one of said plurality of vehicles.
 13. Asystem according to claim 1 and wherein said operational state of saidat least one of said plurality of vehicles is ascertained by utilizinglocation data of said at least one of said plurality of vehicles.
 14. Asystem according to claim 13 and wherein said location data is receivedfrom a GPS location system of said at least one of said plurality ofvehicles.
 15. A system according to claim 13 and wherein said locationdata is received from a GPS location system embedded in a media playerhaving a multi-display synchronization mode located in said at least oneof said plurality of vehicles.
 16. A system according to claim 1 andwherein said at least one visually sensible pattern comprises datapertaining to an operational state of at least one of said plurality ofvehicles.
 17. A system according to claim 1 and wherein said at leastone visually sensible pattern is stored and provided by one of a USBflash drive and a solid state memory device located in one of saidplurality of vehicles and is displayed by one of said display deviceswhich comprises internal viewer capabilities which communicates withsaid one of a USB flash drive and a solid state memory device.
 18. Asystem according to claim 1 and wherein said at least one visuallysensible pattern is stored and provided by a computer located in one ofsaid plurality of vehicles.
 19. A system according to claim 1 and alsocomprising cellular telephone communication functionality operative towireles sly obtain said at least one visually sensible pattern via acellular telephone network.
 20. A system according to claim 19 andwherein at least one of said display devices is a projector phone havingcellular telephone communication functionality operative to wirelesslyobtain said at least one visually sensible pattern via a cellulartelephone network.
 21. A system according to claim 1 and also comprisingwireless television reception functionality operative to wirelesslyobtain said at least one visually sensible pattern via a wirelesstelevision broadcasting network.
 22. A system according to claim 1 andalso comprising terrestrial television reception functionality operativeto wirelessly obtain said at least one visually sensible pattern via aterrestrial television broadcasting network.
 23. A system according toclaim 1 and also comprising satellite television reception functionalityoperative to wirelessly obtain said at least one visually sensiblepattern via a satellite television broadcasting network.
 24. A systemaccording to claim 1 and also comprising cable television receptionfunctionality operative to wirelessly obtain said at least one visuallysensible pattern via a cable television broadcasting network.
 25. Asystem according to claim 1 and also comprising wireless internetfunctionality operative to wirelessly obtain said at least one visuallysensible pattern via a wireless internet network.
 26. A system accordingto claim 1 and wherein said at least one visually sensible pattern isstored and provided by a digital media streaming device located in oneof said plurality of vehicles.
 27. A system according to claim 1 andalso comprising IP television reception functionality operative towirelessly obtain said at least one visually sensible pattern via atleast one of a wireless IP network and a wired IP network.
 28. A systemaccording to claim 1 and wherein said at least one visually sensiblepattern is stored and provided by a DVD player located in one of saidplurality of vehicles.
 29. A system according to claim 1 and whereinsaid at least one visually sensible pattern is stored and provided by aBlu-ray player located in one of said plurality of vehicles.
 30. Asystem according to claim 1 and wherein said at least one visuallysensible pattern is stored and provided by a media player located in oneof said plurality of vehicles.
 31. A system according to claim 1 andwherein said display synchronizing subsystem is also operative inresponse to said data received from said plurality of vehicle displaycontrol subsystems to employ at least some of said plurality of vehicledisplay control subsystems to instruct at least one display deviceassociated therewith to synchronizably display mutually differentsegments of a visually sensible pattern onto said at least one surfaceof each of said plurality of vehicles, whereby said mutually differentsegments together comprise said visually sensible pattern.
 32. A systemaccording to claim 1 and also comprising a plurality of vehicles.
 33. Asystem for synchronizing display of visually sensible patterns onto atleast one surface of each of a plurality of vehicles, the systemcomprising: a plurality of vehicle display control subsystems, each ofsaid vehicle display control subsystems being associated with at leastone of said plurality of vehicles, each of said vehicle display controlsubsystems being operative to collect data pertaining to an operationalstate of said at least one of said plurality of vehicles; a plurality ofdisplay devices, each of said display devices being operative, inresponse to an input from a corresponding one of said display controlsubsystems, to display a visually sensible pattern onto at least onesurface of said at least one of said plurality of vehicles; and adisplay synchronizing subsystem operative in response to said datareceived from said plurality of vehicle display control subsystems toemploy said plurality of vehicle display control subsystems to instructsaid plurality of display devices to display at least one visuallysensible pattern onto at least one surface of each of said plurality ofvehicles, at least one of said at least one surface of each of saidplurality of vehicles being a deployable semi-opaque projection filmwhich is mounted in close proximity to at least one of a rear windshieldand a side window of each of said plurality of vehicles, said displaycontrol subsystems being operative to deploy and retract said deployablesemi-opaque projection film of corresponding ones of said at least someof said vehicles, responsive to said operational state of saidcorresponding vehicle.
 34. A system for synchronizing display ofvisually sensible patterns onto at least one surface of each of aplurality of vehicles, the system comprising: a plurality of vehicledisplay control subsystems, each of said vehicle display controlsubsystems being associated with at least one of said plurality ofvehicles, each of said vehicle display control subsystems beingoperative to collect data pertaining to an operational state of said atleast one of said plurality of vehicles; a plurality of display devices,each of said display devices being operative, in response to an inputfrom a corresponding one of said display control subsystems, to displaya visually sensible pattern onto at least one surface of said at leastone of said plurality of vehicles; and a display synchronizing subsystemoperative in response to said data received from said plurality ofvehicle display control subsystems to employ said plurality of vehicledisplay control subsystems to instruct said plurality of display devicesto display at least one visually sensible pattern onto at least onesurface of each of said plurality of vehicles, at least one of saidplurality of display devices being a deployable emissive display whichis mounted in close proximity to one of a rear windshield and a sidewindow of at least one of said plurality of vehicles, a correspondingone of said plurality of display control subsystems being operative todeploy and retract said deployable emissive display responsive to saidoperational state of said corresponding vehicle.
 35. A method forsynchronizing display of visually sensible patterns onto at least onesurface of each of a plurality of vehicles, the method comprising:collecting data pertaining to an operational state of said plurality ofvehicles; and in response to said, data pertaining to an operationalstate of said plurality of vehicles: controlling activation anddeactivation of a plurality of activatable rear projection surfaces,each of said plurality of activatable rear projection surfaces beingassociated with at least one surface of each of said plurality ofvehicles; and instructing each of a plurality of display devicesassociated with said plurality of vehicles to display a visuallysensible pattern onto a corresponding one of said plurality ofactivatable rear projection surfaces, said visually sensible patternbeing visible from the exterior of said plurality of vehicles.